Howcroft, a panellist on ABC1's The Gruen Transfer, is currently the CEO of advertising agency George Patterson Y&R. He takes over as Ten's executive general manager of its Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth stations in February.

Kapalos declined to comment.

It was reported recently that she had "unfinished business" in Melbourne and planned to return soon. On her blog, she wrote that Melbourne is "unquestionably my spiritual home".

Kapalos started her career with ABC Radio in Newcastle in 1994 before moving to SBS. She has also been a reporter for Channel Nine's A Current Affair and a newsreader on its now-defunct programs Nightline and Sunday.